SWAT-2

     So I wrote up a post last fall about Students With a Testimony, (SWAT), a drama ministry that I've been able to get involved with this year. It was started in fall 2012 as an outreach of the Baptist Collegiate Ministries on-campus, and the group was almost completely rebooted membership-wise in fall 2013 due to graduations and stuff.
 
     In fall, we were mostly trying to get the program down and learn to work together. This semester, we've been able to strengthen connections within the BCM's structure and other ministries, and connect more with the churches we've visited. That's been one of the big differences spring vs. fall.

     Spring is a busy time; with a weird course schedule. There's only really one stoplight the whole semester, and it's usually yellow while on spring break due to the amount of homework and projects to be done when we get back. And there's work schedules to plan and major commitments and other stuff going on, so it can get a little crazy. That's not even counting the weather, which in this case featured lots of ice storms and blizzards. There haven't been as many performances because of all those factors as would be ideal, but you do what you can, right?

     What shows we have done, though, the execution has improved greatly, due to some shuffling of roles after people dropped and in large part to the additions of Drew and Ashleigh as tech crew; handling sound effects, mike levels and shooting video.
     Most of the time we've been somewhat shorthanded, learning to cover for others when necessary, what parts can be skipped if they have to be. Once we were missing a third of our people and it still turned out pretty well.

     We've been able to spread out from Cherokee County to the surrounding areas somewhat; that was something several of us were praying about over the break. And hopefully the audiences have been encouraged by what we've done, seeking to glorify God above everything else, trying to encourage other believers.

     There's been game nights with INTENSELY COMPETITIVE games of Catchphrase and Apples To Apples. There's been much-needed and encouraging coffee runs often at McDonald's late at night to ease stress and chill out. Some examples of branching out with other projects includes more crossovers as members of both SWAT and the worship team; same deal with the tech team; disaster-relief groups are being trained and a Greek-focused deal was started, as well as a women's ministry. The Thursday night meetings have been important, as have the newly-popularized Lunch Bunch meetings on Fridays.

     Stress and anxiety have been huge issues throughout the group this whole semester, and that's been something to pray with and for each other about. And it's been neat to work more closely with Bob and Deb as the SWAT-related or individual projects intertwine into the larger fabric of BCM activities.
   
     We're still kind of figuring out exactly what it will look like next semester/year, who will step up to the plate and take over leadership duties from Samantha, what the program will look like, who will be back and involved, and other potential opportunities of ways to serve. But it's really been great to be a part of, and I'm thankful for that.